Microfluidic device and array disk

Abstract

The invention relates to microfluidic devices and array disks for “one-pot” isolated chemical reactions. The array disks comprise a plurality of sectors in which each sector comprises one microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices comprise a fluid delivery channel and an array of wells wherein the fluid delivery channel delivery fluid into the wells in a serpentine arrangement. In some embodiments, the fluid delivery channel is directly above the array of wells. In other embodiments, the fluid delivery channel is offset from the array of wells so that side channels branching from the fluid delivery channel delivers fluid into the wells. The well of the microfluidic device comprises a gas-permeable membrane that forms the floor, well, or at least a portion of the floor or wall of the well. In preferred embodiments, the well is cylindrical.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A microfluidic device comprising:
 a fluid delivery channel comprising a plurality of side channels branching from the fluid delivery channel; 
 an array of wells, wherein the wells are arranged in at least two columns to follow a serpentine flow of the fluid delivery channel and are offset from the fluid delivery channel, and wherein each well of the array comprises:
 a hydrophilic coating; 
 a gas-permeable membrane; 
 a top opening; and 
 a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening is sealed by the gas-permeable membrane to form the floor of each well; and 
 
 a reservoir, 
 wherein the top opening of each well meets the side channel branching from the fluid delivery channel, and 
 wherein the reservoir is below the gas-permeable membrane 
 wherein the plurality of side channels divert a fluid from the fluid delivery channel into two columns of wells. 
 
     
     
       2. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the aspect ratio of the device is at least 1. 
     
     
       3. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein each well of the array is cylindrical. 
     
     
       4. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein each well of the array is at least 100 μm tall thereby providing a long optical pathway length for optical detection of the contents of each well. 
     
     
       5. The microfluidic device of  claim 4 , wherein optical detection comprises colorimetic or turbidimetric measurement. 
     
     
       6. The microfluidic device of  claim 4 , wherein the width of each well of the array is no more than 2000 μm. 
     
     
       7. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable membrane further forms at least a portion of the wall of each well of the array. 
     
     
       8. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable membrane forms the floor and wall of each well of the array. 
     
     
       9. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable membrane is hydrophobic. 
     
     
       10. The microfluidic device of  claim 9 , wherein the gas-permeable membrane is polypropylene filter disk with a pore size of between 0.2 to 30 μm. 
     
     
       11. The microfluidic device of  claim 10 , wherein the polypropylene filter disk has a pore size of 0.45 μm. 
     
     
       12. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the fluid delivery channel is larger than the diameter of each well of the array. 
     
     
       13. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the fluid delivery channel is the same as the diameter of each well of the array. 
     
     
       14. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , the microfluidic device further comprising a barrier membrane that may be punctured above the fluid delivery channel, wherein puncturing barrier membrane provides fluid access to the fluid delivery channel. 
     
     
       15. An array disk comprising a plurality of the microfluidic device of  claim 1  arranged in a circle around the center of the array disk. 
     
     
       16. The array disk of  claim 15 , wherein the microfluidic device further comprises a barrier membrane that may be punctured above the fluid delivery channel, wherein puncturing barrier membrane provides fluid access to the fluid delivery channel. 
     
     
       17. An array disk comprising a plurality of the microfluidic device of claim arranged in a circle around the center of the array disk. 
     
     
       18. The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery channel has a serpentine order. 
     
     
       19. The microfluidic device of  claim 18 , wherein the two columns of wells comprise a first column and a second column, and the plurality of side channels divert a fluid from the fluid delivery channel to direct the fluid so that the first column of wells is filled before the second column of wells.